Koch calls for reset as Frankfurt’s defensive woes deepen after Leverkusen defeat

Eintracht Frankfurt’s problems at the back showed once again in their 3-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, a result that further underlined an alarming trend. With more goals conceded than any other team in the Bundesliga this season, the Eagles are struggling to find stability, confidence, and control - issues captain Robin Koch openly addressed after the final whistle.

“It’s difficult to explain at the moment,” Koch admitted, summing up the mood around the club. Despite a recent change on the bench, solutions have yet to materialise. “As a team, even with the coaching change, we need a new approach. A lot of things are coming together, and we’re conceding far too many goals.”

According to Koch, Frankfurt’s defensive fragility is not just about organisation at the back, but what happens further up the pitch. “It starts with the ball. We’re far too often pinned back, and we don’t have enough phases of controlled possession,” he explained. “We have to be more dominant with the ball so the team can also recover defensively.”

Any hopes of a comeback against Leverkusen were effectively ended by a second-half red card, though Koch was pragmatic in his assessment. “The red card can happen. We wanted to be more aggressive in the second half, and unfortunately it happened very quickly.”

Beyond tactics and structure, Koch highlighted the psychological aspect of Frankfurt’s current slump. “We need more self-confidence again. We’ve shown many times that we can play good football, but right now we’re in a phase where that belief is missing,” he said. “When confidence is low, things often start going against you as well.”

Despite the mounting pressure and speculation following the defeat, Koch stressed that the focus must remain on moving forward. “I assume we’ll train normally on Monday with our new coach. We need an impulse in the team, and then also in the coaching position. Things always go on.”

With the Bundesliga’s leakiest defence and results continuing to go against them, Frankfurt face a critical period ahead — one that will test both their resilience and their ability to turn words into action on the pitch.